Food at FCO

If you are arriving on a domestic flight, meaning you went through passport control elsewhere in a Schengen country, then either before or after security is available. If your flight is arriving from the US or the UK, then you will go through immigration in Rome, making it easiest to leave the security area, so you would be interested in "before" security. Before/After is based on departure since you only go through security when departing, not on arrival; Before is the public area of the terminal, After once you have gone through security and are on your way to your gate.

I seem to recall that there are not a great deal of options, most will be snack bars...Chef Express or Ciao or coffee bars...but they usually have pretty good sandwiches, sort of OK pizza.

I agree with Paul, pizza is so-so, sandwiches are better. There may be some pre-made salads (veggie or fruit), but it's airport food, so not a lot of thought or variety for a meal. More like a substantial snack.

Thanks for the thoughts Paul and Zoe! I have been searching the map of the airport but got myself turned around. Sandwiches are fine so poor pizza poses no problem. Good to know we can provision folks with a substantial snack.

I guess I can refine the Sandwich comment, I generally find you can get pre-made sandwiches that may be a very decent bagette with good salami, ham, or other cold cuts and a nice cheese, something that might be considered a gourmet sandwich in the US, but very reasonable there. I also recall some non-meat options, a Mozzarella/Tomato sandwich is common, and then items like a tuna or chicken salad. It does vary, but generally a quick look tells alot. Don't overlook the coffee bars, sometimes they have good handmade items over the snack bar chains.